The cretaceous birds of New JerseyOlson, Storrs L.
Science
The cretaceous birds of New Jersey
Olson, Storrs L.
Birds, Fossil; Paleontology -- Cretaceous; Paleontology -- New Jersey
Comparisons.--This very unsatisfactory specimen comes from a species
smaller than _P. littoralis_ and larger than _P. vetus_ (= _Telmatornis
priscus_). It differs from the latter and agrees with _P. littoralis_
in having the distal tendinal opening of a flattened oval shape, rather
than decidedly rounded. If we have correctly referred _P. vetus_ to
_Telmatornis priscus_, then it is certain that neither of the other
two species of _Palaeotringa_ can be referred to _Telmatornis_. In _P.
vagans_ the tendinal groove appears to be much narrower and the bridge
much deeper than in _P. littoralis_, but this is in part due to damage
and possible immaturity in the latter specimen, so it remains possible
that these species are in fact congeneric. The species _P. vagans_ can
be retained as it is smaller than any of the other graculavids in the
fauna except _T. priscus_, from which it is generically distinct.
=Graculavidae, Genus and Species Indeterminate=
Figure 9_b,c_
Referred Material.--Abraded distal end of left humerus and associated
proximal portion of humeral shaft, proximal end of radius, and fragment
of shaft of ulna, NJSM 11302.
Locality and Horizon.--Collected from the main fossiliferous layer of
the Inversand Company marl pit, Sewell, Gloucester County, New Jersey;
Hornerstown Formation, latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian); collected 15
August 1972 by David C. Parris.
Measurements (in mm).--Humerus: distal width 19 mm, depth through
dorsal condyle 9.7, width of shaft at proximal extent of brachial fossa
11.0; greatest proximal diameter of radius 7.0.
Comparisons.--The distal end of the humerus is the only reasonably
diagnostic element in this assortment and indicates a large, robust
species that would have exceeded in size any of the others known in
this Cretaceous avifauna except _Laornis edvardsianus_, which was
much larger still. In size this bird would have approximated the
modern flamingo _Phoeniconaias minor_, which it somewhat resembles in
morphology as well. The humerus is not greatly different from that
of other Graculavidae in general aspect but is distinct in having a
larger, much deeper, and more proximally situated brachial depression.
It represents a species distinct from any of the others yet known
in the fauna and is certainly generically distinct from all except
possibly _Graculavus_, for which comparable elements are unknown.
=Order Procellariiformes?=
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account